In recognition of the importance of training physician scientists, the American Board of Internal Medicine established a research pathway to certification in 1997.
Internal medicine residents at Indiana University may participate in this pathway. The Department is well poised to support residents who desire a career in research. Our faculty are well funded, ranking among the top 10 - 20% of all academic departments of medicine in successfully competing for National Institutes of Health research funding. This pathway is intended for trainees with established experience in scientific discovery and research methodologies who seek academic careers as investigators in basic science or clinical research. The research pathway integrates training in clinical medicine with three years of training in basic or clinical research.
Early planning of this pathway is necessary. Training for this pathway is longer in duration than standard clinical training. Five years are required to complete the research pathway for general internal medicine and six or seven years for the subspecialties and/or added qualifications depending on the discipline.
The requirements for the research pathway are:
- Two years of full-time clinical training in medicine
- Three years of research training
During research training, at least 20% of each year must be spent in clinical experiences, including at least one half-day per week in a continuity clinic. Individuals choosing subspecialty training complete two rather than three years of internal medicine residency training, then they complete the subspecialty fellowship, including any additional research training required by it. Generally, residents should discuss their research interests with the Program Director and Vice-Chair for Research during the first year of residency.
Most individuals entering the Research Pathway choose to work in the laboratories of subspecialty physicians with a commitment by the subspecialty division, faculty and fellowship director to support the career path during specialty training including the clinical fellowship. The advantage over traditional fellowship training is the intensive research experience that makes participants much more competitive for career development grants and more attractive for faculty positions. It is possible to earn a Ph.D. while in this pathway. We will help residents find outstanding laboratories in which to train, as well as advise them in their academic development.
Currently, five residents are in various stages of training in this pathway, two in cardiology, two in hematology/oncology, and one in gastroenterology.
